P.A. Chedraui, L.A. Hidalgo, M.J. Chávez, G. San Miguel
Determinant factors in Ecuador related to pregnancy among adolescents aged 15 or less
Objective: Determine social factors related to pregnancy
among young adolescents. Methods: We obtained
socio-demographic data from early adolescent nulliparas
aged ?15 years. Results: During the study period at the
Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,
Guayaquil-Ecuador 201 early adolescent nulliparous
patients of low socio-economic status were
surveyed and compared with 201 low socio-economic
nulliparous controls aged 20 to 30. Mean age of adolescents
was 14±0.6 years, 58.7% of them were aged 14.
Age of menarche and sexual initiation was lower among
adolescents (11.8±0.9 vs 12.8±2 years and 12.6±1.1
vs 16.2±5 years, respectively, p<0.05). A higher rate of
adolescents initiated sexually before menarche onset
(18.4% vs 5%, p<0.05). The rate of those who wanted
to become pregnant, had adequate prenatal care and
had knowledge of conception, used contraception or had
knowledge of any contraceptive method prior to pregnancy
was significantly lower in adolescents (16.9% vs
86.5%; 37.3% vs 94.5%; 18% vs 70.1%; 6.5% vs
89.5%; 42.8% vs 84.5%, respectively, p<0.05). Age of
sexual partner was lower in the adolescent group
(20.4±3.4 vs 30±8 years, p<0.05). Compared to controls,
higher rates of adolescents were school dropouts,
had problems with the law and were involved in domestic
violence (87% vs 9.9%, 7.5% vs 0.5%, 44.7% vs 2.5%,
respectively, p<0.05). None of the adolescents were living
with mother and father in a complete family structure.
Parental illiteracy was higher among adolescents (9% vs
3.5%, p<0.05). Conclusion: In this low socio-economic
population, early sexual initiation, poor reproductive
health knowledge and the disruption of family structure
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 32, 07/2004
Pages: 337 - 341
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